The Presidents of Russia and China at their meeting on Tuesday, March 21 in Moscow, where they signed several documents on strategic cooperation. Photo: Portal/Sputnik.
After meeting in the Kremlin with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin called economic cooperation between the two countries very important and believed that many of the proposals for a solution in Ukraine contained in Beijing’s peace plan “were seen as sensible can become the basis for a peaceful solution if they are ready for it in the West and in Kiev.”
Speaking to the press, the Russian President stressed that the negotiations with his Chinese counterpart took place in “a warm, friendly and constructive atmosphere”.
Regarding the peace plan recently presented by China, he said that part of the document’s 12 points could serve as a basis for a settlement of the conflict.
“We believe that many of the proposals in the peace plan presented by China are in line with Russian approaches and can be taken as a basis for a peaceful solution if they are willing in the West and in Kiev,” he said.
Immediately afterwards, he pointed out that “such a disposition” has not been noticed to this day.
Putin argued that the documents signed by Russia and China set the task of multiplying the volume of trade and “deepening ties in eight strategic areas.”
According to the Russian President, the volume of trade between the two countries hit a historic record of $185 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach and surpass the equivalent of $200 billion in 2023.
Putin promised to expand Russian shipments of liquefied natural gas to China, stating that Russia ranks fourth among Asian giants in exports of this hydrocarbon.
On the other hand, he emphasized that “China has become the leader in importing Russian oil, while Russia is ready to increase uninterrupted oil supplies to meet the needs of the Chinese economy.”
Putin reported that the two countries have agreed to build the Siberian Force 2 gas pipeline, which will bring gas from the Siberian region to northwest China.
“All agreements have been concluded,” he affirmed, specifying that this pipeline will be able to transport 50,000 million cubic meters of gas to the Asian giant.
He also noted that cooperation in the energy sector is progressing at a good pace and the practice of paying for supplies in national currencies is currently spreading.
He added that after the pandemic restrictions were lifted, both countries are gradually returning to cultural, scientific, tourism and educational exchanges, which contributes to “further deepening of friendship, mutual understanding and sincere sympathy between Russian and Chinese citizens.”
According to the Russian president, during talks with Xi Jinping, both acknowledged that Russia and China’s views on most current international and regional issues “are the same or very close.”
“Russia and China firmly oppose any state or bloc that harms the legitimate interests of other countries for military, political and economic gain,” he stressed.
For his part, the Chinese President described the talks in Moscow as “very open, friendly and productive”.
“For 10 years, President Putin and I have maintained close ties, kept in touch on strategic issues and stimulated fruitful strategic cooperation between the two countries,” he said.
Noting that Sino-Russian relations are vital to the modern world order and the destiny of mankind, Xi Jinping confirmed that they had agreed to increase trade in the energy sector and expand top-level cooperation.
Referring to the Chinese position on the conflict in Ukraine, he said his country adheres to the principles of the United Nations Charter and actively promotes the restoration of negotiations and peace. “We are always committed to peace and dialogue, we are firmly on the right side of history,” he said.
The Chinese President, who arrived in Moscow on Monday, told reporters that he had reached an agreement with Putin to “intensify comprehensive planning at the highest level (…). of the dynamic development and long-term of Sino-Russian relations,” he concluded.
2 billion EU dollars of artillery ammunition for Ukraine
European Union countries on Monday agreed to invest 2 billion euros to supply Ukraine with 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition over a period of 12 months, Community High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell reported in a news release tweet.
The political agreement of the Twenty-Seven on the “three-pronged” plan presented by Borrell, based on an initial idea from Estonia, stipulates that the countries will deliver all 155 caliber ammunition to Kiev as soon as possible, on the premise that they will quickly come up with new joint orders respond to the industry.
The EU will fund €1 billion for immediate delivery and another €1 billion for joint procurement.
Welcoming the EU-27’s political deal, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Commission will work with member states “to increase defense industry production in the EU to achieve this goal”.
For the first of the routes envisaged in the plan, which consists in delivering to Ukraine as soon as possible the ammunition reserves, mainly 155 mm, that the countries of the Community already have or that they have already contracted with the industry 1,000 million euros provided from the European Peace Support Fund (FEAP).
The US accelerates the shipment of Abrams tanks to Kiev
The United States is accelerating deliveries of Abrams tanks to Ukraine, opting to send a refurbished older model that would be ready sooner to get the 70-ton behemoths onto the battlefield in about eight to 10 months, it said AP agency officials.
The initial plan was to send 31 M1A2 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, which would take a year or two. Therefore, officials decided to send to Ukrainian armed forces the M1A1 version, which is older but can be taken from army reserves and is easier to train.
The sources asked not to be named as the plan has not yet been publicly announced. The Pentagon is expected to make the announcement shortly, the AP said.
According to the agency, it’s not clear how quickly the US military will be able to train Ukrainians to use the tanks, and that timeline will affect when the vehicles can be deployed to battlefields.
During a visit to a tank factory in February, US Army Secretary Christine Wormuth had long-term meetings with local officials to determine the best options for getting the tanks to the Ukrainians.
Officials at the factory, which is owned by the army but operated by General Dynamics, said production could fluctuate depending on demand.
While they are currently building 15-20 armored vehicles per month, including tanks, they can easily increase to 33 per month and could even add another shift for workers and build more.
(With information from RT in Spanish, EFE and AP)